In 1914 a train pulled into a provincial British railway station. The porter, a curious chap, asked the regiment of soldiers where they were from. 'Ross-shire,' one called down, but the porter heard 'Russia'. And so began a rumour that led to Germany losing the First World War.Often the history we learn at school is only half the story. We hear of heroic deeds and visionary leaders, but we never hear about the people who turned up late for court and thereby changed the law,...
Gareth Rubin had the idea for this book after a horrific date with a Polish girl during which she attempted to engage a Russian couple in a fist-fight. He writes for a number of newspapers including the Observer, Express, Telegraph and Mail on Sunday about travel, property, the arts and personal finance. He recently completed his first novel, All Honourable Men. Jon Parker is a freelance journalist published in the Guardian, The Times, Independent and Telegraph, as well as writing for television...